Corte Madera offramp closed after car hits pole, catches fire

Two people were injured Wednesday after a car crashed into a pole and caught fire in Corte Madera, according to preliminary police reports.

The crash occurred at about 1:15 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 at the Paradise Drive offramp, the California Highway Patrol said. A customer at Denny's said the car took out a light pole, dragged it about 50 yards and crashed into the roadside landscaping.

The car ignited, sending up 15-foot flames and blowing out the four tires, the customer said. Two men in the car bailed out and ran into Denny's to call 911, and one of the men briefly fell unconscious, said Southern Marin fire Battalion Chief Jeff Allen.

Firefighters took both men to Marin General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The Paradise Drive offramp was closed while the CHP and Twin Cities police investigated.